Effect of Maize Stover Compost and Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates on Growth and Yield of Soyabean (Glycine Max) Variety in South – West Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the influence of maize - Stover compost and N-fertilizer rates on the growth, yield and utilization soybean over a period of two years. The experimental design was a randomized complete block (RCBD), consisting 3 levels of compost (0, 2, 4t/ha), 3 rates of N fertilizer (0, 30, 60 kg/ha) which were applied to 3 varieties of soybean (TGX 1742 - 2F), (TG x1842- 1 E) and (TG x 1448- 2E) using three replications. Data analysis using ANOVA at 5% level of probability showed the application of maize Stover compost and N - fertilizer to have enhanced plant growth significantly( Plant height, number of leaves, node, and branches,). Dry matter yield and number of pods per plant were also significantly affected by the different levels of compost and N- fertilizer rates. The results of the soybean grain yield and yield components showed that the crop responded positively to the application of both compost and N - fertilizer, but soybean response to compost fertilizer was higher than that of N- fertilizer. The highest seed number per plant of (160. 9g) was produced by variety TGX 1740- 2F while the highest numbers of pods were produced from the application rate of 2 and 4t/ha compost. Application rate of 4t/ha compost produced the highest number of seed per plant of (154. 4g).The optimum performance of soybean grain was obtained from application of 2 or 4 t/ha of compost.